_-. heightened Darwinism — a trait long-associated . 20 ~ Wednesday, November 29, 1995 — North Shore News ai anada’s rev Book redefines Canada’s identity THE IMAGE of a solitary, bun- dled-up soul patiently waiting ona deserted street for the walk signal has long defined Canada’s national character: tolerant and law-abiding. By Andrew McCredie Community Editor But a new book. by Deep Cove/Kitsilano writer Peter C. Newman hints that some of us are beginning to stroll into the intersec- tion against the red (some are even choosing not to look both ways). In The Canadian Revolution (Penguin Books, : 476. pages) Newman. proposes that the shatter- ing of familiar Canadian touchstones over ‘the past decade. has. under- _ scored a true revolution of Canada’s national character. A turning away ‘from a belief system based on God, Country. and the Queen, on a train system that linked East to West, ona , Grey Cup football game that pitted . Easi aginst West. “; The accumulated effect of losing faith in such touchstones, Newman argues, has: left Canadians with.a sense = of with our neighbors to the south.: " » And while most writers would be »-overwhelmed ‘to’ integrate such diverse ideas into’an entertaining, book, Newman does it in fine fash- ion — his. storytelling ability rising to the fore and carrying us through "the period 1985-95. = “My argument is’ that. we ‘absorbed this belief system, then we .. receded into ourselves, which has a good side in that it is very empower- ing, * the author said in an interview , in North Vancouver last week. “But it’s also shifted the character .of Canadians from deference to defi- ance, and that’ 's where the revolution -gomes in.” As oxymoronic as a Canadian me “fevolution may sound, it’s hard to. disagree with Newman's hypothesis. . - In the- past decade, Canadians oy have called into question institutions ‘that have long’ defined and shaped ‘their national identity, from the Red ° -Cross blood scandal to the murder of a young Somali man by Canadian soldiers. There is more here than’ just a’ growing cynicism. For the first time in Canada’s 128-year history, citi- < . Newman. said, social - zens are openly defying their public institutions. The underground economy chugs along to the tune of $4 billion a year. The social- system that. so long defined Canada’s value system’ is quivering under a keen blade sharp- ened by bottom-liners and a_per- _ ceived public will. . “We cannot fix what we've. got,” “You can’t tinker with the ‘Senate. You can't tinker CELEBRATED .CANADIAN author Peter C. Newman with all these institutions we've got. We have to replace them, and that’s why there’! be a revolution.” This redefining of Canada’s iden-.: tity is further demonstrated, Newman argues, in the phoenix-like rise of populism in Quebec and the | West. ; “The two-party ‘system died and ‘that’s a very revolutionary thing for ‘ Canada, because it's been there for 128. years," the former. editor-in- chief. of -Macfean's said of the Conservatives’ crushing defeat in the last federal election.“ ’ Upon reading The Canadian Revolution, one could get a fecling of lost hope, of a failed experiment - called Canada. But Newman says the book gives him a sense of hope for the country he..came to “in 1940. from Czechoslovakia: “I’m very exhila- rated by the revolution. It’s empow- ering and it’s. self-control, which _tmakes us more interesting ‘and - adventurous.’ The only thing ® that scares me a little bit is that we are becoming more like Americans.” Hugh MacLennan, , truest literary treasure, once wrote: “Even if the legends (that Canaca was built on).were like oil and alco- hol in the same bottle, the bottle had. SEF VICE PLUS ut not been broken yet.” ’ Sure it's been shaken and stirred, nD meni oe hod On but the bottle has remained intact. Canada’s |, nicote & TO DIE All she wonted wos e Little att Students only °6.00 with valid Student Card Ph: 983-2032 Pemberton Plaza 1268 Marine Dr., N.Van. (next to Save-On-Foods) ~ Fax: 983-2061) 983-2081 OUR FAMOUS XMAS SALE IS NOW ON! © (Sale ends Dec. 8) CANADA ‘95 GIFT BOOK SUGGESTED RETAIL 83g INCLUDES ALL STAMPS ISSUED IN ‘95 OVER 332.001N FOSTAGE fovenseas |. PARCELS -COUPON Int'l Stamps Cdn. Stamps U.S. Stamps §NCLUDED! | = 20% ° OFF SUGG. 3 |” price “AN (RRESISTIE Tits dae HARRISON GALLERIES presents an exhibition of new works by George Bates. “Chinese Pots” «14 x 18”) n : This is George Bates’ first exhibition in three years at our! Granville Street Gallery ~ until Saturday, December 2195, © 2932 Granvilie Street Vancouver 732-5217. 5 _ ENCONCERT. : featuring Tickets: $23.50 adults / $22.50 students && ses Available at Centennial Theatre Centre Box Office SPECIAL PREMIERE PRICE OF $8.00 FoR FAIGHTY APHEODITE - (14 Years} at 7:00.& 9:10 pm.” AT REGULAR PRICES OF $4.00! HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS - _ (Mature) at 7:05 pm | Matinees Sat, Sun at 2:00 pm i 20 DI FOR .. “414 years) at 9:05 pm. POWDER “ (Mature) at7:10 & 9:20 pm fase, NE tOMAN FOR jention ‘arith: Cantal 95 is the year's lavishly illustrared review of Canada’s stanps 4 _ and their stories. Full of nature and beauty, , _ history and aneedote, Canute 93 is a miniature : gallery of Cana din fife, from *. fine art andthe = * achiew ements of seientce to in actual postage) are’” prickaged with cach book! Full-colour, Hardound with“ prestige ‘slipcase: “Wes the perfost eat WORKS OF ART FOR _ UNDER $40? | Cece . hrwrerStenal nea Howly eberton _ PEMBERTON PLAZA - here. POSTAL OUTLET |. November 9, 1995. (next to Save-On-Foods)